Zumba instructor in settlement talks

Mark Strong convicted last week on prostitution charges

Prosecution and defense lawyers failed to reach a plea agreement Wednesday for a Zumba instructor charged in a prostitution scandal, but agreed to continue discussions at a later date.

Prosecutors and a lawyer for fitness instructor Alexis Wright met behind closed doors for nearly five hours. While the meeting ended without a plea agreement, both sides decided to resume discussions at a later date, York County Assistant District Attorney Patrick Gordon told reporters.

Gordon and defense lawyer Sarah Churchill declined to comment on the substance of the discussions or to say when they might resume.

Wearing a cream-colored coat and white high heels, Wright declined comment as she left the courthouse and was followed by news photographers for four blocks.

The 30-year-old Wright is accused of conspiring with insurance agent Mark Strong Sr. to run a prostitution business in Kennebunk, in which she kept detailed records indicating she made $150,000 over an 18-month period. She's also accused of recording sex acts without her client's knowledge.

A similar settlement conference failed to avert a trial for Strong, 57, of Thomaston, who was convicted last week. Sentencing for Strong is scheduled for next week.

Wright, who now lives in Wells, is scheduled to stand trial in May on 106 counts, including prostitution, privacy violations, tax offenses and welfare fraud.

The case has drawn international attention because of the scope of the operation as well as the sheer number of alleged clients - more than 150 of them. People who've seen the list say some of Wright's clients were prominent.

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